Save The Date: Annual Chamber Bash February 6th

The Chamber is kicking off 2014 with an annual fundraiser on Thursday, February 6th, from 6 to 9pm at the Manor in downtown Puyallup.  The proceeds from this event will provide us with the financial resources to advance our advocacy for issues like transportation, opposing a minimum wage increase, affordable health care, etc. It will also enable us to grow existing programs like luncheon forums, Leadership Institute, our Lunch and Learn program, and business webinars you can watch from your office.

The theme for this year’s event is Home Front Heroes, a 1940’s event celebrating our businesses that battled the economic downturn and came through victoriously. We are planning a nostalgic evening of food and fun with authentic WWII entertainment and a tasty menu featuring our local Chamber businesses. 

Our fundraising goal is $30,000 which we believe is achievable if we all work together.  To do this we are asking our members to support the event in one or more of the following ways:

1)      Buy tickets.  Tickets are $50 each and you can purchase/register online prior to the event.  It includes pre-event tastings, vintage drinks, dinner, great entertainment and fun networking with chamber members. www.puyallupsumnerchamber.com

2)     Donate auction items.  Donating to our auction is a great way to advertise your business to other members.  You can donate online, too!

3)     Purchase auction items. Check out our two person getaways, tickets to the Mariners, behind the scene tour at PRCA Rodeo Puyallup, cruises on the Sound and more.  Treat yourself or give a gift to your spouse or employees.

4)     Buy Business Victory Bonds.  It’s our chamber version of “Raise the Paddle”.  Buy $500, $250, $100 or $50 Victory Bonds and receive entrance to the “Victory Bond Holder After Party” immediately following the event with a complimentary glass of wine or locally distilled whiskey, dessert and specialty coffees. 

This event will also be a great opportunity to mingle with our board members like John Rader,Green Mt. Coffee Roasters, Kent Hojem, Washington State Fair,  Dave Radcliffe, Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse, Tracey Pidge, Coleman American Moving Services, Rod Stephens, Stephens Law Firm, Mt. Rainier Coffee Company, Bob Ecklund, YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, Glenn Kasman, Good Samaritan Hospital/MultiCare, Lane Tanabe, Absher Contruction, and more.  We hope to see you there!

On behalf of our board, we are looking forward to the opportunity to see you at the event and reach our event goal.  Please call the Chamber staff if you have any questions, 253-845-6755.

Together we are making a difference for businesses in Puyallup and Sumner.

Join us in thanking our

Partner Level Sponsor

The Manor

Builder Level Sponsors

                             

Supporter Level Sponsor

Chamber Sees Blue at 2013 Annual Rising Star Awards Breakfast

Congratulations to our 2013 Rising Star Award winners and a big blue thank you to our presenting sponsors, Columbia Bank and Puget Sound Energy.  Our guest speaker, Melanie Dressel, President & CEO of Columbia Bank spoke about our local economy and the banking industry in general.  Also recognized for their work in 2013 was our board of directors and our Chamber Business Education Committee members, Tana Hasart, Patti McMullan and Sandy Maynard.  We appreciate all of our businesses and volunteers who support our organization.  Together we all make a difference.

John Porter Memorial
Dave Radcliffe, The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse

Volunteer of the Year
Captain Scott Engle, Puyallup Police Dept.

Volunteer Business of the Year
McLendon Hardware

Ambassador of the Year
Michele Suepke, LegalShield
Rob Lewis, Columbia Bank

Small Business of the Year (1-10)
Epic Donuts
Mt. Rainier Coffee Company

Medium Business of the Year (11-50)
Eterna Vein & Medical Aesthetics

Large Business of the Year (51+)
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

Young Professionals: Individual
Ashley Blair, Best Western Premier Plaza Hotel and Conference Center

Young Professionals: Organizational
Dillanos Coffee Roasters

Non-Profit of the Year
Helping Hand House

Best Company to Work for
Columbia Bank

Entrepreneur of the Year
Jarrett Tomal, Parliament Distillery

Business Innovations
Washington State Fair

 — with Melissa Huston.

Thumbs up for Cellular Ribbon Cutting

Our first ribbon cutting in 2014 was hosted by The Cellular Connection, Verizon, 10929 Canyon Road, Puyallup.  Lots of fun with the ambassadors and customers in the store. Thumbs up to our ambassadors in blue who encouraged one of their "wee" customers to help out with the reading of our traditional proclamation.  It was a great ribbon cutting event.  Stop in and say hi to Jonathan and tell him the Chamber sent you.

SSCCLC Annual Legislative Breakfast Focuses on Transportation and Minimum Wage

The Puyallup Sumner Chamber showed up en force at the SSCCLC annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, January 10th, to hear a transportation update from Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation, listen to panel discussions from business representatives, and meet with legislators from across the state.  The coalition continues to focus its resources on completion of SR 167 and SR 509 to improve our freight corridors, create jobs and remain competitive in national and international imports and exports.  With SeaTac's recent passing of a minimum wage initiative for the hospitality industry, the SSCCLC also included this topic in their presentations to electeds. PSCC Chairman, John Rader (Green Mt. Coffee Roasters) participated in the panel of business representatives who spoke about how current traffic congestion is impacting their bottom line and employee commutes.

  

In 2014 the Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce will again be gathering business stories from our members about the impact of transportation/SR167 for our businesses.  If you have a specific transportation story you would like us to include in our 2014 information for legislators, please contact us at 253.845.6755.

A big thank you to our legislators, local mayors and electeds and Chamber members who came early and braved the traffic on SR167 in order to support our legislative efforts.  It does make a difference.

GMCR's, John Rader, participates in transportation panel discussion.

 Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation, addresses audience.

SSCCLC lobbyist, Carolyn Logue, facilitates panel discussions.

Rising Star Awards Breakfast Tuesday January 14th

Our chamber staff and board of directors are all looking forward to our annual awards breakfast on January 14th as we recognize our business members and leaders in the community for their work this past year in sustaining a thriving business environment. 

In addition, our local chapter of AUSA will be presenting military awards to some of our service men and women at JBLM.   Melanie Dressel, president &CEO of Columbia bank will be our guest speaker and we are anticipating over 250 people will attend the annual event.  If you have not already registered to attend, click here to register.

Sumner's Mayor Dave Enslow Sworn into Office

Newly re-elected Sumner Mayor, Dave Enslow, was sworn into office at the January 6th  Sumner city council meeting, the first council meeting of the new year.  Also sworn into office were new and returning council members, Steve Allsop, Earl Stuard and Kathy Hayden.  Council member Mike LeMaster was also appointed as Deputy Mayor and all council members signed up for new committee assignments for community development, public works, public safety, and finance. 

As we look forward in 2014, our chamber anticipates Sumner's council governing on issues and projects like the sale of the golf course and development thereof,  the new YMCA which will break ground this spring, Sound Transit parking solutions and updating the city's comprehensive plan. 

We extend our congratulations to the newly elected/re-elected officials and look forward to working with the city to continue providing a healthy environment for businesses to thrive, grow and create jobs.

  

John Knutsen Appointed as Puyallup's New Mayor

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014, Puyallup City Clerk, Brenda Arline, swore in newly elected and re-elected council members, John Hopkins, Heather Shadko and Julie Door.  The council appointed John Knutsen as Puyallup's new mayor and Councilman John Hopkins as deputy mayor.  The mayor and council also approved new committee assignments for the council members.             

Puyallup City Council also voted 4-3 to approve the emergency moratorium on the development of the VanLierop property near Shaw Road.  Council members Palmer, Door, Shadko and Hopkins voted in favor of the moratorium; Knutsen, Vermillion and Swanson voted against approving the emergency moratorium.  More discussion has been slated for the January 14th study session. 

As we look forward in 2014 in Puyallup, we anticipate the new mayor and council working on issues like the moratorium on the Shaw Road/VanLierop property, updating the city comprehensive plan, working with Pierce Transit for development of a circulator bus route and revisiions to existing services and Sound Transit parking solutions for the train station. 

We extend our congratulations to the newly elected/re-elected officials and look forward to working with the city to continue providing a healthy environment for businesses to thrive, grow and create jobs.